With its trademark immersion events scheduled across the globe when the Covid-19 crisis hit in March 2020, the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Innovative Giving Enhancement (IGE) promptly pivoted raising critical funding for musicians and creating an atmosphere to collaborate internationally via monthly Virtual Immersion Project gatherings.
IGE announces its second livestream event, From Here to Everywhere on Wednesday, June 9 at 9 PM EDT, streaming on Nugs.tv. IGE premieres the all new international collaborative videos produced since the first livestream From Here to Anywhere (link) from September 2020.
One example of the many global virtual collaborations is illustrated within this version of “Franklin's Tower” - an entirely unique multi-genre interpretation of the Grateful Dead's classic featuring a trans-continental collaboration between Barcelona based soukous/high-life band "Afrikemet" and musicians in the U.S. from the Grateful Dead family. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk0BhbL1i_g
Produced in Barcelona by Afrikemet guitarist Aaron Feder (Alma Afrobeat Ensemble), the song features West Coast musicians Sunshine Becker (Furthur), Alex Koford (Terrapin Family Band, Colonel and the Mermaids), Jason Crosby (Oteil Burbridge, Robert Randolph and the Family Band) and Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra). Nearly a dozen songs appear throughout the June 9 event, created in a similar fashion of musicians layering their vocals, instrumentation and positive vibration into each and every song.
IGE organizer and Everyone Orchestra conductor Matt Butler reminds everyone that “these videos are a great monument of the love and intent and creativity during the depths of the pandemic. This video series is a solid reminder that we are not that far out of a return to ‘normal’ and to step forward with optimism and care for each other. These videos showcase the vibrant Immersion community that came alive and together online.”
Participating musicians performing in the virtual, collaborative musical creations include Aaron Feder (Alma Afrobeat Ensemble, Afrikemet), AC Carter, Adryon De Leon, Al Schnier (Moe.), Alex Gator (Pigeons Playing Ping Pong), Alex Koford (Terrapin Family Band), Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass), Bill Nershi (String Cheese Incident), Bridget Law (Tierro Band), Chris Chew, Christine Brebes, Constança Rosado, David Maestro (Afrikemet), Elliott Peck (Midnight North), Eric Mills (Afrikemet), Gastão Reis (Zarco), George Porter (The Meters), Gerson Marta, Grahame Lesh (Midnight North), Greg Loiacono (The Mother Hips), Ian Faquini, Island Grass, James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band), Jason Crosby (Terrapin Family Band), Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Jay Starling, Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Jeremy Schon (Pigeons Playing Ping Pong), Jesse Bardwell, Jesse Wilson, Jilian Nershi, Joe Tatton, John Kadlecik (Furthur), Kellen Asebroek (Fruition), Kyle Hollingsworth (String Cheese Incident), Lebo (ALO), Lindsay Lou, Lucia Fumero, Luis Ogando ( Reis da Republica), Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra), Matthew Rieger (The Lil Smokies), Mihali (Twiddle), Mimi Naja (Fruition), Mounaime Kodssiz, Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), Nicki Bluhm, Pete Shand (New Mastersounds), Rah King (Afrikemet), Rim Akandoh (Afrikemet), Scott Law, Simon Allen (New Mastersounds), Sonia Alvarez, Steve Adams (ALO), Sunshine Becker, Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth), Tony S'Amed, Tyler Thompson (Fruition), and Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon).
The virtual event From Here to Everywhere kicks off June 9 at 9 PM EDT, right at www.Nugs.tv.
In addition to the streaming event on June 9, IGE is currently registering participants for two upcoming Immersion events in 2022: Grateful Aloha January 3-11, 2022 on Kaua’i, Hawaii and May 11-22, 2022 in Prague, Czech Republic. Complete details on both 2022 events including registration, participant & artist testimonials, along with photo & video recaps of prior trips can be found at www.innogiven.org.
